On Beauty

O N BEAUTY

by Skye Forrester

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone - Audrey Hepburn

Our 5 top beauty practices include a night-time ritual of applying essential oils to your feet, natural stain removal for teeth, and the benefits and usage of an array of natural skin products including Aloe Vera, activated charcoal and sunscreen.

Natural beauty is born from an awareness of how we feel about ourselves; in truly seeing ourselves and honouring the love and joy that radiates from within. From here, all choices are infused with the desire to care lovingly for ourselves, holistically, so we can show up each day feeling and looking our best.

This is why we laud natural beauty over cosmetic enhancements. The market for cleaner, safer beauty has grown, and is continuing to grow as we embrace the practice of celebrating ourselves as we were made. Here are five natural beauty practices to include in your routine:

[ ESSENTIAL SOAK ]

Your feet are your foundation and responsible for transferring all the force from your body to the ground. They carry you and keep you standing, taking all the impact from your day’s actions. Your feet deserve a treat; and this one is essential.

This soak is best done in the evening, after a long day. Peppermint has an invigorating impact on both skin and muscles and can reduce inflammation, bringing relief to sore and tired feet.

INGREDIENTS *Basin that you can fill with water *½ tablespoon coconut oil *4 drops of peppermint essential oil *4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil *2 drops of lemon essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS Boil some water and allow it to cool – keep it warm enough for you to enjoy but cool enough not to burn yourself or the oils. Add in your essential oils and gently swirl them around the warm water. Place your feet in and soak them for about twenty minutes; and pat them dry. Follow up with a light layer of coconut oil, softly massaging your feet as you go. Put on some cosy socks, put your feet up and relax.

[ COCONUT WHITE ]

Your teeth are covered in a delicate layer of white enamel that’s prone to staining, particularly when it’s exposed to acidic liquids like coffee. The good news is, edible oil-pulling therapy is natural, safe and has no side effects. It’s considered a preventive home therapy for maintaining oral hygiene.

Oil pulling is an age-old remedy that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums.

Oil is able to cut through plaque and remove toxins without disturbing the teeth or gums. To oil pull, simply put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around between your teeth for five to twenty minutes, or add a few drops to your toothbrush and brush it on. As an added bonus, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, so it’s great for protecting and cleaning your gums as well.

[ ACTIVATE YOUR FACE ]

From biscuits and body scrubs, to soaps and even toothpaste, activated charcoal is an essential natural beauty ingredient. When included in a face-mask or cream, activated charcoal draws bacteria, poisons, chemicals, dirt and other micro-particles to the surface of the skin, helping achieve a softer, healthier, more flawless complexion. Here’s a simple DIY charcoal facial cleanser made with coconut oil.

INGREDIENTS: *1 cup of Organic Coconut Oil *6 Activated Charcoal Capsules *2 Tablespoons of Pure Baking Soda *5 Drops of Lavender Oil *5 Drops of Rosemary Oil

INSTRUCTIONS The first step is to break open the charcoal tablets. Next, mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and charcoal powder together in a small bowl. It’s best for the coconut oil to be in a liquid state before mixing. Finally, add the essential oils and mix thoroughly. Use a warm, wet washcloth to moisten your face and then massage a small amount of your mixture all over your skin. Leave it on for three to five minutes and gently remove it all with a washcloth.

SKIN PROTECTION FACTOR

OF NATURAL OILS *Shea Butter – approx. SPF 5-6 *Coconut Oil – approx. SPF 6-10 *Avacado Oil – approx. SPF 4-8

*Carrot Seed Essential Oil – approx. SPF 28-40 (must be diluted or may burn your skin!)

*Myrrh Essential Oil – approx. SPF 15

[ SHEA BUTTER SUNSCREEN ]

INGREDIENTS *½ cup Shea Butter *1/3 cup Coconut oil, melted *15 drops carrot seed essential oil *10 drops myrrh essential oil *2 Tbsp zinc oxide (optional - you can always add more myrrh instead: up to 40 drops)

INSTRUCTIONS Measure out the ingredients carefully, because a little variance makes a big difference in the end fluffiness. Whip the raw shea butter until creamy and then slowly add the melted coconut oil while whipping. Add in essential oils and whip until fluffy. If you’re adding the zinc oxide, be very careful not to inhale.

DID YOU KNOW? Some natural oils have SPF ranges. When combined with other natural super ingredients, these can go a long way in protecting your skin from our scorching sun. It’s best to avoid Citrus oils (orange, grapefruit, lemon, etc) as they may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.